{"id":172534,"date":"2025-08-13T18:25:48","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T09:25:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/?p=172534&lang=en"},"modified":"2025-08-13T18:46:16","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T09:46:16","slug":"olivebay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/en\/olivebay\/","title":{"rendered":"Olive Bay Hotel, Oshima: A Boutique Design Retreat in Saikai, Nagasaki"},"content":{"rendered":"

An architectural gem by Kengo Kuma\u2014once a private guesthouse, now a luxury island stay<\/strong>
\nJust two hours by car from Fukuoka, we found ourselves on Oshima, a quiet island off the coast of Saikai City in Nagasaki Prefecture. Surrounded on three sides by water\u2014the open Goto Sea, the mirror-like calm of Omura Bay, and the dramatic inlets of Sasebo Bay\u2014this area is deeply shaped by the sea. Though remote, it\u2019s surprisingly accessible by train and high-speed ferry via Hakata Station.<\/p>\n

\"Olive<\/p>\n

Our destination was no ordinary hotel. Originally built as a private guesthouse to host international shipowners visiting the local shipyard, the facility was reimagined in 2013 by none other than Kengo Kuma, Japan\u2019s best-known architect. Rebuilt with interiors by London-based GA Design International, it now welcomes general guests under the name Olive Bay Hotel<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"Olive<\/p>\n

Set along a secluded inlet, the hotel\u2019s 32 rooms all face the water, with floor-to-ceiling glass offering uninterrupted bay views.<\/p>\n

\"Olive<\/p>\n

The interiors are refined and modern\u2014sleek furniture, carefully selected art pieces, and serene bathrooms\u2014all designed to draw your attention outward to the calm cove and the surrounding forest. A room you could easily spend an entire day in.<\/p>\n

\"OliveWith no power lines, no rooftops in sight\u2014just sky, sea, and forest\u2014Olive Bay feels completely removed from everyday life. The property includes a pristine infinity pool, a well-equipped gym, and even a private hotel cruiser for scenic excursions.<\/em><\/p>\n

Small in Scale, Big on Luxury<\/strong>
\nDining here is as thoughtfully curated as the space itself. Guests can choose from refined French cuisine or Japanese courses, all built around fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients.<\/p>\n

\"Olive<\/p>\n

The seafood is exceptional\u2014sourced from the nearby Nagasaki coast\u2014and in season, spiny lobster makes an appearance. You\u2019ll also find Nagasaki Wagyu, and Oshima\u2019s famously sweet and flavorful tomatoes make their way into many dishes.<\/p>\n

\"Olive<\/p>\n

Beyond the flavors and presentation, what really made each meal stand out was the warm, unhurried hospitality. Every detail is taken care of, and you\u2019re gently encouraged to savor the moment.<\/p>\n

\"Olive<\/p>\n

Mornings begin with a champagne breakfast, accompanied by your choice of fresh-pressed Oshima tomato juice or juice made from Saikai-grown oranges. The setting, the pace, the produce\u2014it\u2019s the kind of breakfast you\u2019ll remember.<\/p>\n

\"Olive<\/p>\n

Olive Bay Hotel is a privately run boutique property, but it feels more like being invited to a private estate. We quickly forgot we were in rural Nagasaki. Everything\u2014from the architecture and materials to the landscaping and scent of the air\u2014conveys a quiet confidence and care.<\/p>\n

\"OliveFor seasoned travelers, it\u2019s a reminder that true luxury doesn\u2019t need to shout. It\u2019s in the restraint. It\u2019s in the comfort. We recommend at least a two-night stay, with one full day spent entirely on the property if possible\u2014especially midweek, when it\u2019s at its most tranquil.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Olive\u201cI designed the hotel like a picture frame, surrounding the rich natural landscape of Olive Bay. The pleated fa\u00e7ade, made of white stone, acts as a stone curtain\u2014separating everyday life from the quiet world beyond.\u201d
\n\u2014Kengo Kuma<\/em>
\nSource: Kengo Kuma & Associates website<\/a><\/p>\n

Exclusive for Hotel Guests: Shipyard Tour<\/strong>
\nOshima\u2019s identity has shifted over the decades\u2014from coal mining to shipbuilding\u2014and today it\u2019s home to Oshima Shipbuilding, a global leader in bulk carrier construction and environmental maritime technology. The shipyard produces over 40 vessels a year, and as a hotel guest, you\u2019re invited to tour the facilities free of charge. It\u2019s an uncommon chance to witness Japan\u2019s industrial precision and global reach up close.<\/p>\n

\"Olive<\/p>\n

Getting Around by Bike<\/strong>
\nAs usual, we brought our folding bikes along. Exploring by bicycle is one of the best ways to get a feel for a place\u2014and here, it allowed us to ride at our own pace, discover quiet corners, and enjoy the scenery between destinations.<\/p>\n

\"Olive<\/p>\n

Olive Bay Hotel<\/strong>
\n1577-8 Oshima-cho, Saikai City, Nagasaki<\/a>
\nhttps:\/\/www.olivebayhotel.co.jp\/en\/<\/a>
\nTel: 0959-34-5511<\/a><\/p>\n

Fukuoka Now Reader Special!<\/span><\/strong>
\nBook the one-night, two-meals plan on weekdays and receive 20% OFF.
\nReserve by phone or email<\/a> and mention you\u2019re a Fukuoka Now reader.
\nOffer valid for stays through the end of December 2025.
\nIf you don\u2019t receive a reply within three days, please follow up<\/em><\/p>\n